Iraq at a crucial moment (Part 2)

Iraqis are sick of bad government. But knitting together a war-torn, ethnically divided country will test even a skilled negotiator like Adel Abdul Mahdi (source: macpixxel for GIS)

Iraq’s government faces the staggering task of rebuilding the war-torn Sunni north

Water and power shortages are stirring anger and mass protests in the Shia south

Demobilizing Shia militias and cutting a deal with the Kurds would be key first steps

A new mood for change in Iraq may help new Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi

The first order of business for Iraq’s new prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, is to assemble a competent and honest cabinet. That will be difficult, since one of his main political partners, the coalition of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (2006-2014) and militia leader Hadi Ameri, strongly backed by Iran, insists on controlling key portfolios. Still, Mr. Abdul Mahdi issued a public invitation for any qualified Iraqi to apply for government posts via the internet. It was an important gesture, because the whole country – and particularly in recent months the south – is seething with resentment at government corruption and incompetence.

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